How to discover traditional Italian desserts

You may think you already know all about Italian food-- many people make spaghetti, lasagna and pizza for their families on a daily basis. You may also cook most everything in olive oil and use plenty of garlic. However, you have not really lived until you have tasted these scrumptious Italian desserts.

Life and love will not be the same after you have experienced the self-indulgent flavor of ladyfingers dipped in a mix of coffee and brandy, layered with cream made up of eggs, mascarpone and Marsala wine in the authentic Italian version of tiramisu. Your taste buds will thank you and you will crave it forever.

Next you should dive into a cannoli. It is made of pastry shells that resemble pasta shaped cannelloni. The oblong tube is filled with chocolate chips, ricotta and candied fruit, usually garnished with a sweet candied cherry. This precious dessert dates back thousands of years.

There are so many to choose from, but another memorable Italian dessert is biscotti. The cookie dough is baked twice for crispness, is generally almond-flavored and often dipped in chocolate or espresso. Not your typical cookie for sure. But you may also find authentic Italian cookies, like Lazzaroni cookies, which are also delightful with a cup of espresso, especially Lazzaroni amaretto.

It is no wonder that people all over the world consider Italian food as some of the most tasty and intricate foods around. Not everyone can afford to go to Italy to find them, but if you look for a local Italian restaurant and skim their menus for these specialties, you won’t be disappointed. You can also find these desserts and their ingredients in Italian markets- both in your neighborhood and online.